Hail joint



i rl0 Patented Jan. 2, `1923.

UNITED STATES CARL CARLSON, 0F LINFOR, 5

annil Joiiv'r.

' Application inea may 31, 1922. serial No'. 564,838.

Mypresent invention relates to improvements `in rail joints for railways or rail,- ioads, and is Vdesigned'for use with standard types of rails. The primary object of the invention is the provision of means at `the rail joint for insuring a smooth and continuous joint for the passage of rolling stock,

which is practically noiseless, and which isv free from danger of separation. By the utilization of my invention splitting and uneven wear of the rails are obviated, expansion and contraction are provided for to compensate for changes in temperature in the rails, and lateral displacement of the rails at the joint is prevented.

In the physical embodiment of my invention the rails are fashioned with complementary end structures in order that the adjacent ends of adjoining rails may be properly fitted together, and in carrying out the principles `of the invention vmeans are utilized for joining the rail structure of my invention with theexisting form of standard railroad rail.

The invention consists "in certain novel combinations and arrangements in the structure lof the'rail ends to complete the rail joint, as will be more specifically pointed out and claimed hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings I have .illustrated one complete example of thephyssical embodiment of my invention in which the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

I have also illustrated a rail joint involving a yrail of standard form with the railend of my special` construction coupled thereto to show the adaptation of my invention to existing standard rails.

Figure l is avperspective view of a rail joint according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rail j end, which rail is equipped with a complementary end at its other end whereby adj acent rails are joined by la complementary l f thus interlocked are maintained in alignmembers.

Figure 3 is a perspective'viewl of a splice plategused in the construction of Figure 4. v

Figure 4 is a perspective view 'showing the jrail end of my invention j oiiiedfto a standard forni of rail.

F igurel 5 shows one-of the securing bolts with itssquared shank. y `In the main embodiment of the invention as shown` in Figuresl l and 2 the two rails are equipped with complementary `ends l and 2, `it being understood that each rail `has'a pair ofends and these adjacent ends on adjoining rails are adapted to interlock as shown in Figure '1.' The respective rail yends are fashioned with vertical slots 3 and 4 extending longitudinally of the rail and centrally thereof, and at opposite sides of tral,inset, vertically disposed lugs l9 and l0.

These inset lugs thus form lateral or side recesses 7 and 8,A and also form a portion of the vertical slots 3 and 4 respectively,` and it i will be apparent that the slot 3 is adapted to receive the lug 10, while the slot 4 is adapted to receive-the lug `9, a notch ll being shown for use if desiredr in the eXtreme edges of these lugs. j

The rail-ends thus form a continuation of the flangedtop portions of the rails and are used in lieu of sh plates at the joints, while at the same. time strengthening and reinforcing the joint. Squared bolt holes l2, 12

`are utili/ed in the rail ends to receive the bolts 13, which are fashioned with squared Shanks 14 for seating in the squared holes, and the usual locking nuts are threaded on the ends of the bolts i3 at the sides of the rail joint.

In-assembling the joint, with one rail end sary space is provided at the .joint to perinit of expansion and contraction under varying temperaturesand the rail ends as ment and lateral displacement is prevented.

In jointing a standard forni of rail end With my rail end, a splice plate 15 having a head 16 thereon conforming to the complementary rail end 1 is used at the Y end of the standard rail rR, as in Figure. This* splice plate has an inset lug 17 conapleinentary to the lug 9 of the end 17 and the splice-v piate is interposed betweenl the rail-end 1 and the standard torni of rail R in order that the lugs 9 and 17 may interlock to form the joint. At the side of vthe rail R opposite to the splice-plate, a fish plate 18 is utilized, which isiashioned with a illerlng 19 between the end oi' the rail-end, 4and the end o1" the rail R. The iianged ishplate is used in the customary manner ontop of the rail flange, and -is provided with bolt holes 20 for usual bolts 21l passed through the splice plate, the web, of the rail R and the fish plate. The filler lug 19 thus closes the recess 7 of the rail end 1 and lits bearing against the 1119,19 assists in holdingsaid lng against'lateral strains.

It will be understood that the rail ends 1 and 2 may be fashioned in various Ways, as for instance the ends may be Welded, or cast around the standard rail, or the ends may be fashioned integrally with the rail as the latter is produced, and various other ychanges may be made in the invention Withend fashioned with ayertical, longitudinally extending` slot and a locking lug beyond said slot, a splice plate having a complementary lng and slot-formation, said lugs projecting Yto form side recesses, a side plate on the slotted rail end to il one of said recesses, a lish plate having a member to fill the other recess, and fastening bolts orsaid joint.

, In testimony whereof l aflix my signature.

CARL CARLSON. 

